Surgical Introducer Dissector Tip for Tissue Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

During minimally invasive surgical procedures, existing surgical fastener applying apparatuses face challenges in effectively separating target tissue from adherent collateral tissues, which can hinder access to internal anatomical structures and complicate the surgical process.

Innovation Solution

A surgical fastener applying apparatus with an elongate body, an end effector, and an introducer member, where the end effector includes movable jaws with a surgical fastener cartridge and an anvil component, and the introducer member is designed to separate target tissue from collateral tissue, featuring a flexible material and attachment structures for secure connection with the end effector, facilitating the positioning of target tissue between the jaws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a surgical fastener applying apparatus is used to connect adjacent sections of tissue, then tissue connection is achieved, but the ability to separate target tissue from adherent collateral tissues is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue separation capabilityVSAvoidapparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical instrument is divided into distinct functional modules: an introducer member with a dissector tip for tissue separation, and a fastener applying apparatus for tissue connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The introducer member acts as an intermediary component between the surgeon and the target tissue, providing a dissector tip that facilitates separation of adherent collateral tissues before the fastener applying apparatus engages the target tissue. This intermediary structure enables tissue separation without requiring the main fastener apparatus to perform this function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive surgical procedures are performed through small openings, then trauma and recovery time are reduced, but access to internal anatomical structures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical traumaVSAvoidaccess to internal structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The introducer member with the dissector tip is advanced through the small incision first to preliminarily separate and create a pathway to the target tissue before the main fastener applying apparatus is deployed. This preliminary action enables access to internal anatomical structures through minimal incisions by preparing the tissue pathway in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The introducer member is designed to be received within the elongate body of the fastener applying apparatus, allowing the introducer to be advanced through the same small incision used for the main apparatus. This nesting configuration enables both tissue separation and fastener application through a single minimal incision site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If collateral tissues adhere to target tissue, then tissue isolation becomes difficult, but surgical precision is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue isolation precisionVSAvoidtissue separation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dissector tip of the introducer member provides localized tissue separation capability at the specific site where collateral tissues adhere to the target tissue. This localized approach allows precise isolation of the target tissue from adherent collateral tissues without affecting surrounding areas, maintaining surgical precision while facilitating separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11123066B2Dissection tip and introducer for surgical instrument

Publication Date: 2021.09.21 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an elongate body portion having proximal and distal ends, an end effector including a first movably coupled to a second jaw that is positioned at the distal end of the elongate body portion, and an introducer member. The introducer member has proximal and distal portions, and is configured and dimensioned for releasable connection with the end effector. The introducer member is at least partially formed from a flexible material, and is configured and dimensioned to separate target tissue from collateral tissue prior to positioning of the target tissue between the first and second jaws of the end effector.